Monthly Archives: May 2016

Welcome back to the Blog! It’s been a while, but there are lots of things happening around the city this spring!

We would also like to introduce our new guide Alanis King

Alanis originally hails from the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve on beautiful Manitoulin Island. Alanis is a storyteller and playwright, 3 Plays, published by Fifth House was launched last fall. She has written, directed and produced numerous plays for Anishnaabe theatre for more than 25 years. She is an e-merit certified Heritage Interpreter and Tour Guide and a graduate of the Aboriginal Cultural Ambassador program here in Ottawa through Aboriginal Experiences. Alanis is a past Artistic Director of Askiy Productions, Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, Native Earth Performing Arts, Debajehmujig Theatre Group and currently Mazinaw Rocks Productions. She has been a Guest Lecturer, Drama Teacher and performing arts program developer to numerous educational institutions in North America. Alanis is the only female Aboriginal graduate of the National Theatre School of Canada. Alanis is a proud grandmother to Declan Zibi and is thrilled to join the Indigenous Walks team in Canada’s capital city!

(Photo Courtesy of Derek S. Rickert)

CUAG in Conversation: Barry Pottle and Amy Prouty Tuesday May 17th at 6 p.m. at Carleton University Art Gallery, Barry Pottle a local Inuk artist from Nunatsiavut in Labrador (Rigolet), will be in conversation with Amy Prouty as a part of the Keeping Record: The Documentary Impulse in Inuit Art. They will be discussing how Inuit Art is a form of “memory art” as well as how it has played a role in the resilience of Inuit communities in the face of colonization.

I Lost My Talk– Rita Joe
On at the NAC this Thursday May 19th 2016.I Lost My Talk is based on a poem by Mi’kmaw elder and poet Rita Joe, in which she expresses the pain and suffering she experienced in the Schubenacadie Residential School. Her words also provided hope and perseverance, which is demonstrated by the Indigenous Youth within the show.
Visit http://nac-cna.ca/en/lifereflected/ilostmytalk for more information.

Punctured Landscape– Ajagemo
What do you remember from history class? How much was left out?Punctured Landscape is a brand new exhibition that explores the social landscape of our country. Demonstrating that although impacted by colonization and other strifes the land still stands strong. The exhibit is located in Ajagemo Hall, at the Canada Council for the Arts building on Elgin and is on from now until October 2nd 2016.

John Wayne’s Teeth–Gallery 101John Wayne’s Teeth is a Comedy Film Screening and Fundraiser which highlights Indigenous humour and is hosted by local comedian Darren Sutherland. Entrance is Pay What You Can with all proceeds going to Asinabka Festival Programming.There is a cash bar and did we mention FREE BANNOCK.
The event is May 20th and begins at 7 p.m. with pre-screening bingo games at Gallery 101.

Indigenous Walks Owner/Operator Jaime will be providing the final tour in conjunction with the OAG’s exhibition “All That You Touch” on Saturday May 28th from 2-4 p.m.Meet in the OAG lobby, rain or shine. Join artist Jaime Koebel for a walking tour of Indigenous social, political and cultural spaces in downtown Ottawa.

Immediately following the tour there will be a debrief/ talk with anyone who took the walks directly at the OAG. The tour is FREE with registration, only 30 spots available for this tour.
Contact bookings@indigenouswalks.com to register.

The 40th Annual Odawa Traditional Pow Wow The weekend of May 28th-29th, Odawa’s Annual Traditional Pow Wow will take place at 200 Moodie Drive, Ottawa. Gates open at 10 a.m. and Grand Entry is at 12 p.m. both days. Admission is free, donations will be graciously be accepted at the gate. This event is open to everybody, come explore Indigenous culture and dance with us.

2nd Mass Blanket Exercise–Ottawa
Tuesday evening, May 31st there will be a 2nd Mass Blanket Exercise held on Parliament Hill beginning at 5:30 p.m. This is an exercise held by the Assembly of 7 Generations, a group of Indigenous Youth who are seeking to change the way Indigenous Peoples are perceived in Canada.This is an interactive exercise that will walk you through colonisation from an Indigenous perspective.

Honouring of Local Algonquin Communities
The City of Ottawa Cultural and Heritage Services Branch, in partnership with the Algonquin Anishinabe First Nation communities of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg and The Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn, is pleased to invite you to the Flag Raising and Commemoration Unveiling Ceremony to honour the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Marion Dewar Plaza
110 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa City Hall
Please R.S.V.P. before Friday June 10, 2016: culture@ottawa.ca

Indigenous Writes: A Guide to First Nations, Metis & Inuit Issues in Canada
This is a new book by Chelsea Vowel exploring issues like status/non-status/metis, and even debunking some myths about Indigenous cultures. Indigenous Writes will be available at the beginning of September and can be enjoyed by anyone wanting to learn about Indigenous cultures.

NAC Fall & Holiday Lineup
The National Arts Centre Fall Lineup includes some big Indigenous names, like Tanya Tagaq who will be performing in November.
Visit the NAC’s website for more details.